Chapter 172: Palace Change 16

hings even worse for him. The Empress dared to say in front of the Emperor that the copy was only eight points similar, which basically meant she didn't take the Emperor seriously at all."Mother, the...All eyes were on Feng Lingxi, their probing gazes as if trying to see through her.

"Ready to begin."

"Your Majesty..."

>

The empress's smile was almost gone. It seemed that Feng Lingxi was prepared this time. She couldn't refuse. These days, she had put all her thoughts on Dugu City and Feng Lingxi, ignoring the emperor. It seemed that she had to speed up and get the throne to Yan'er as soon as possible.

"Since the Emperor has said so, then please come forward, Fourth Royal Wife."

Feng Lingxi bowed respectfully, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your kindness."

Dugu Yan looked at Feng Ling Xi's stunning face. Although she tried her best to hide it, he could feel the sharpness she couldn't conceal. Xi'er was definitely going to surprise him.

But he didn't know how to make her see him.

With all the ink and brushes ready, Feng Lingxi looked at everyone's gazes, walked to the scroll, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, but hesitated without writing.

Such actions made everyone present unable to help but feel nervous, not knowing what she was going to do.

Dugu Cheng was naturally nervous too. He had seen Xi'er's writing before, and it wasn't particularly impressive.

"Why not write"

Amongst the civil and military officials, some began to whisper. In a short while, there were many discussing amongst themselves.

Feng Lingxi put down her brush and bowed to the Emperor and Empress.

"Xier, is there something amiss"

Shufeng hurriedly asked, she was also confused by her actions.

Wind Ling Xi, hearing the whispers around her, spoke loudly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, esteemed mother, since I was five years old, I have had a high fever and been foolish for over ten years. Although these past few days I have diligently practiced writing, my knowledge is still shallow, and I don't know if I can imitate the handwriting."

When the Empress heard that she wanted to imitate handwriting, she thought of the Emperor's calligraphy and smiled, "I wonder which one the Fourth Princess wants to imitate"

"All depends on Her Majesty's pleasure. Your servant will do her utmost."

The Empress smiled, Feng Ling Xi, this is something you bumped into the Palace yourself.

"Why don't we imitate the Emperor's handwriting When the Emperor was young, he inscribed a painting for this palace, which this palace cherished very much. On this palace's birthday today, if the Fourth Royal Consort could imitate it to be six points similar, this palace will reward her heavily."

"The Emperor's handwriting"

All the officials, both civil and military, were astonished and buzzed with discussion. Throughout the entire Yuanxing Dynasty, who didn't know how well the Emperor wrote when he was young How many people had tried to copy his calligraphy, yet none could replicate it perfectly.

This Feng Lingxi is foolish, everyone knows it. She has no ink in her belly, let alone the ability to imitate the Emperor's calligraphy. This is simply impossible.

"Your Majesty, wouldn't this be a bit too difficult for Xier She can't read many characters and hasn't attended school. Copying Your handwriting might be quite challenging for her."

The Empress saw the wind and frost, and dared not speak. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you can't underestimate the Fourth Princess Consort. Perhaps this copy is because she has this talent. Why don't you let the Fourth Princess Consort try"

"Xier, would you like to try" The Emperor looked into the Empress's eyes and asked Feng Lingxi. Feng Lingxi slightly bowed and feigned calmness, saying, "Your concubine is willing to try, but she's afraid that her imitation won't be good and will disappoint Her Majesty."

"With such courage, Your Highness Fourth Royal Wife surely won't disappoint this Palace."

Feng Lingxi forced a smile, and the queen's smile deepened, her expression even more pleased by Feng Lingxi's unease.

獨孤城看著風淩兮這般，有些擔心，她這似乎冇有把握，這還不如就隨隨便寫幾個字作數。

The Empress ordered someone to bring out the calligraphy and painting given to her by the Emperor, hanging it in front of everyone. People looked at the painting, seeing powerful strokes, dragons flying and phoenixes dancing – the Emperor's youthful ambition and domineering aura could be seen clearly from this artwork.

With such a powerful and imposing style of painting, who could possibly copy it

When Feng Lingxi saw the painting, the shock in her eyes pleased the Empress, who curved her lips. She wanted to see just how capable Feng Lingxi truly was.

"Fourth Princess, begin."

The Empress spoke, Feng Lingxi responded, taking the brush but pausing before writing a single stroke.

"Fourth Royal Wife, if you can't do it, just forget it. This Palace won't make things difficult for you."

Feng Lingxi looked at the empress's smiling eyes and said, "Empress Dowager, may I take another look"

"Then let me make you a cup of tea."

Feng Lingxi bowed her thanks and continued to stare intently at the painting. The civil and military officials below were all discussing her, but Feng Lingxi only focused her gaze on the artwork.

After a cup of tea had passed, the Empress watched as she still hadn't put pen to paper and smiled, saying, "Fourth Princess Consort, if you have no inspiration, then it's fine."

"Your Majesty, this servant has finished reading. Now, please wait a moment, Your Majesty."

When she said she was done, the Empress's eyes crinkled with amusement. Truly, a new calf is fearless of tigers. If it could be copied after just a cup of tea, where would there be scholars who had endured ten years of grueling study for the imperial examinations

Feng Lingxi began to paint with all her heart and soul, without adding any inscription. Those who watched her paint couldn't help but stare in amazement, some even feeling a little uncomfortable looking at it.

Dugu Cheng wanted to get up, but Ye Xi stopped him.

"My Lord, please don't be hasty. The Lady Empress remains calm even in peril. Let us not act rashly."

Dugu Cheng looked over at Feng Ling Xi's side, one person there, and didn't know if she could make it.

After a incense stick’s time passed, Feng Lingxi put down her brush and looked at the Empress, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this servant has disgraced herself.”

"Take up the Four Princess's paintings and have a look."

The eunuch stretched out the painting. When the Empress saw Feng Ling Xi's artwork, her expression changed slightly. This, this was actually a copy, and moreover, it was so well done that she couldn't tell the difference. It was indistinguishable from the Emperor's own artwork. The placement of each character, every dot and stroke, was exactly the same.

"Your Majesty, has Xi'er copied all of these"

The noble concubine saw the painting and excitedly grabbed the emperor's sleeve, somewhat unable to believe her eyes.

The emperor's eyes widened in astonishment. He steadied himself by holding onto his chair, and Consort Shu hastily helped him up. Seeing that he was going to approach, she quickly called out to the eunuch carrying the paintings, "Quickly bring the artwork over so the Emperor can take a closer look!"

The Empress looked at the Emperor's attitude and then at Feng Lingxi's calm and composed expression. She clenched her fists, suppressing a surge of anger in her eyes.

I really didn't expect it, Feng Lingxi actually has such skills. She really managed to copy it for her.

“All my lords, take a look at this painting by the Fourth Royal Consort. How similar is it to my own paintings”

The emperor excitedly asked, and all the civil and military officials rushed forward, carefully looking this way and that, comparing and contrasting.dry."Xiaoli curiously took the letter, her hand gently brushing over the handwriting. It really was..."Your Highness, this person is truly skilled. They can actually mimic Madam's handwriting perfectl...